Iowa Upsets South Carolina to Reach Women’s Final Four Championship Game

A Shocking Turn of Events

Many believed that South Carolina would easily take the national championship this year. LSU coach Kim Mulkey even declared before her team’s round-of-8 win that “South Carolina was going to be there.” The Gamecocks had a perfect record and were reigning champions, but they had not faced a player like Caitlin Clark. Iowa proved to be the first team to defeat South Carolina, 77-73, and claim a spot in their first championship game.

The Favored Team

South Carolina had been the expected winner from the start of the tournament. But Iowa’s Clark had a standout performance with 41 points, 8 assists, and 6 rebounds. Fans waved a “In Clark we trust” sign as the game came to a close.

A Joyous Celebration

Iowa celebrated as if they had won the championship, with players and fans alike hugging, cheering, and singing Iowa’s fight song. They advanced to the championship game against Lousiana State.

LSU Makes History

LSU made it to their first NCAA final in history with a 79-72 win over Virginia Tech thanks to a powerful performance from Angel Reese, who produced her 33rd triple-double this season to tie an NCAA record, and Alexis Morris, who led both teams in scoring with 27 points.

The Main Event

The highly-anticipated matchup between undefeated South Carolina and second-seeded Iowa led by Clark drew a crowd wearing black, gold, and garnet. Iowa dominated the first half, but South Carolina had depth in their team that helped them stay close.

A Defensive Strategy

Iowa’s zone defense proved effective against South Carolina, dropping Clark onto Boston or any post player for the Gamecocks. Clark’s help defense and Czinano’s physicality resulted in 15 turnovers for South Carolina. Iowa used pick-and-roll plays to their advantage on offense, often featuring Clark and Czinano.

The Underdog Wins

Even with a 4-point lead and only seconds left to play, Iowa stayed focused and subdued before they secured the victory over South Carolina. The win was an upset of grand proportions during a month filled with upsets.

Celebrating the Win

Iowa fans and players filled the arena with joyous celebration. The stadium erupted as they recreated the team’s home arena, turning Dallas into Carver South. Iowa faced off against Lousiana State in the championship game.

Clark’s Standout Performance

Clark finished the game with 41 points, 8 assists, and 6 rebounds. Despite the impressive feat, it was not even her best 41-point game of the week.

A Memorable Moment

As the Iowa fans cleared the arena, the DJ played Rihanna’s “We Found Love.” But the black and gold-clad fans were in no hurry to leave.

A Game-Changing Victory

Iowa’s victory over South Carolina was a surprising outcome in the NCAA tournament. The Gamecocks’ perfect record and reigning championship status were no match for Iowa’s determination and skill on the court.

Credit: https://www.nytimes.com/live/2023/03/31/sports/womens-final-four

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